Within the last year Dewalt launched the 12V/20V cordless radio DCR015 ($190, Amazon) which we think is a pretty nice radio. It runs off the 12v & 20V platform batteries as well as charges them. It also features a heavy duty 3 prong plug that when plugged in will actually energize 2 additional 110v outlets on the side of the unit. Media compartment is large enough to store my Samsung Galaxy S4 with 5” screen so should handle most phones. Also has a USB slot which can take media or charge USB devices and of course there is an audio AUX port for anything else. The new Dewalt Cordless Radio DCR018 ($99, estimate) launches today is the little brother of this radio with a reduced size, reduced price, adds some functionality but of course also takes some away.
What the New DCR018 Does Right
The biggest thing Dewalt did right was to embrace the fact that many of their users still use some of the legacy 18V platform tools and have not switched completely (or at all) to the new slide pack style of batteries yet. This new radio can accept 12V, 18V or 20V so that is great news for those on the old system or dancing in the middle with some of each. Another thing we like about this compact radio is they left a cord attached; most of the competition has detachable cords on their smaller units which are bound to get lost and can’t be stored with the unit. Dewalt leaves the cord on and created an easy storage solution so it’s always there even when using the battery.
The price is right at under $100 and the size/weight is very impressive. In comparing the two units DCR015 vs DCR018 it is surprising how close the sound output is with a unit about half it’s size.
What We Didn’t like about the DCR018
When we first started playing with this new radio we thought we had found the perfect radio in price, size, multi-platform, battery charging… but then we realized it wasn’t charging the battery. We think perhaps Dewalt missed a golden opportunity here to bridge the gap from old Dewalt users to new with a really cool radio that would have charged everything. Perhaps we are asking a lot from a $99 radio but when you’ve got millions of legacy users you’d like to convert to your new platform it doesn’t seem like a stretch in our minds to offer a whole lot of bang-for-the-buck. We also found that the battery did not hold in the radio as well as we’d like for a tough radio built to take jobsite abuse. If you picked it up by the battery (of course not recommended) it would slide right out, probably trivial but didn’t sit well with us.
The other issue some users will not be happy with is it seems like the digital tuner is the same in the DCR018 as in DCR015. We haven’t had many problems in Columbus with reception but the negative reviews for the DCR015 on Amazon (see link in first paragraph) mostly point to poor experience with AM/FM reception which will likely be the same with the DCR018.
Overall
We like both the DCR015 & DCR018 radios. We can see why Dewalt has both units as options but for our investment we really want one that’ll charge the batteries it uses. Most people would agree in theory however when it comes time to shell out the extra $100 and you probably already have a few extra chargers at home we can see it going the other way. The compact size and impressive sound of the DCR018 will make it a solid choice for many stuck in Dewalt battery limbo. For more info see Dewalt press release below.
Dewalt Press Release
TOWSON, Md. – Today, DEWALT announces the launch of its new compact worksite radio (DCR018). This unit includes the Multi-PortTM interface. The compact worksite radio is a small, light weight (6 lbs. without battery), versatile, and portable radio for quick and convenient use on and off the jobsite. This unit includes the Multi-PortTM interface which allows it to be powered by the DEWALT 18V stem pack lithium ion or Nicad batteries as well as any of the 12V MAX* or 20V MAX** slide pack lithium ion batteries. The new DCR018 compact radio can also be powered by AC power when preferred, providing flexibility on the jobsite, and includes an integrated cord wrap for easy storage. Features of the compact radio include a digital tuner, bright backlit LCD display with clock, and five AM/FM presets. The compact radio also features a device storage box that helps to protect electronic devices from jobsite dust and debris and houses USB power and auxiliary ports. USB-compatible devices can be charged via the USB power port when the radio is plugged into a wall outlet, and the auxiliary port allows for connection to CD, MP3, and other digital audio devices. The 360-degree protective roll cage with hanging cut outs provides durability and versatility when using on and off the jobsite.
The DCR018 compact radio will be available in stores in September, will retail for between $99.00 and $129.00, and comes with a three-year limited warranty, one-year free service contract, and 90-day money back guarantee.
* Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 12 volts. Nominal voltage is 10.8.
** Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18.
